Atopic Dermatitis, How To Support Our Patients?

Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is a common disease in dogs and cats with an unknown prevalence. The diagnosis is often a diagnosis of exclusion, where flea allergy, contact allergy, parasites, and adverse reaction to food (ARF) have been ruled out. Intradermal tests and blood tests are used to determine the responsible allergens, however, interpretation of the results is challenging⁽¹⁾ . Often in AD cases, avoidance of the allergen is unsuccessful, so symptomatic treatment is needed. Secondary infections are common and should be recognized and treated accordingly. As ARF and AD can also occur together in 1 patient, dietary management (e.g. with an elimination diet or novel protein diet) can also result in clinical improvement⁽¹⁾ . Supplementation with different types of fatty acids has been studied with a huge variation in results. The type of fatty acid does not seem to be very important, and supplementation has better effects in early diagnosis cases compared to late diagnosis cases^(2,3) . Other supplements improve skin barrier function and have antioxidant effects^(4,5,6) .

References

1. Hensel P., Santoro D., Favrot C., Hill P., Griffin C. Canine atopic dermatitis: detailed guidelines for diagnosis and allergen identification. BMC Vet Res. 2015; 11: 196.
2. Mueller R.S., Fieseler K.V., Fettman M.J, Zabel S., Rosychuk R.A.W., Ogilvie G.K., Greenwalt T.L. Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on canine atopic dermatitis. Journal of Small Animal Practice Volume 45, Issue 6, June 2004, Pages 293-297.
3. Sævik B.K., Bergvall K., Holm B.R., Saijonmaa-Koulumies L.E., Hedhammar Å., Larsen S., Kristensen F. A randomized, controlled study to evaluate the steroid sparing effect of essential fatty acid supplementation in the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis. Veterinary Dermatology Volume 15, Issue 3, June 2004, Pages 137-145.
4. Marsella R., Olivry T., Carlotti D.-N. Current evidence of skin barrier dysfunction in human and canine atopic dermatitis. Veterinary Dermatology Volume 22, Issue 3, June 2011, Pages 239-248.
5. Plevnik Kapun A., Salobir J., Levart A., Tavčar Kalcher, G., Nemec Svete A., Kotnik T. Vitamin E supplementation in canine atopic dermatitis: improvement of clinical signs and effects on oxidative stress markers. The Veterinary record Volume 175, Issue 22, 6 December 2014, Page 560.
6. McFadden R.A., Heinrich N.A., Haarstad A.C., Tomlinson D.J. A double-blinded, randomized, controlled, crossover evaluation of a zinc methionine supplement as an adjunctive treatment for canine atopic dermatitis. Veterinary Dermatology Volume 28, Issue 6, December 2017, Pages 569-e138.